NAICS 445250 Quarterly Industry Report
Fish and Seafood Retailers
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 445250Sector: 44Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This Fair Market Value industry report for NAICS 445250 draws on verified data from the U.S. Census Bureau[5], Bureau of Labor Statistics[6], and Small Business Administration[4] to profile the specialty fish and seafood retail sector. Our research team analyzes sourcing economics, cold chain management, and seasonal demand patterns to provide accurate market intelligence for business valuation purposes. The report covers SBA size standards, related NAICS classifications, and the operational distinctions between specialty seafood retailers and supermarket seafood departments. Fair Market Value updates this NAICS 445250 profile quarterly to reflect new Census releases and industry developments.
Industry Definition & Overview
Fish and Seafood Retailers (NAICS 445250) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in retailing fresh, frozen, or cured fish and seafood products. Specialty seafood markets, fish counters, and retail operations selling whole fish, fillets, shellfish, smoked fish, and prepared seafood items all fall within this classification. These retailers differentiate from supermarket seafood departments through wider species selection, product freshness, custom filleting services, and expertise in sourcing regional and seasonal catches.
Retailers source inventory through wholesale fish markets, direct relationships with commercial fishing operations, and seafood distributors who aggregate product from multiple origins. Coastal markets benefit from proximity to fishing ports, enabling same-day delivery of fresh catches that inland retailers cannot match without air freight or overnight shipping. Cold chain integrity from dock to display case determines product quality and shelf life. Shrinkage from spoilage, trim waste, and unsold inventory represents the primary margin risk for seafood retailers.
The SBA[4] sets the size standard at $9 million in average annual receipts for this industry. Species diversity creates sourcing complexity, as retailers must track seasonal availability, import regulations, and sustainability certifications across dozens of fish and shellfish varieties. Lenten seasons, holiday demand spikes, and summer grilling periods create predictable volume increases. Prepared seafood items such as crab cakes, seafood salads, and marinated fillets generate higher margins than raw product sales and reduce waste by repurposing trim into value-added items.
What's Included in This Industry
- Fresh fish and fillet retail operations
- Shellfish and crustacean retail operations
- Frozen seafood retail operations
- Smoked and cured fish retailing
- Custom fish filleting and cutting services
- Live lobster and shellfish tank retail operations
- Prepared seafood product retailing
- Retail sale of sushi-grade fish and seafood
- Coastal fish market and dock-side retail operations
- Retail sale of canned and jarred seafood specialties
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Subsector | Food and Beverage Retailers | 445 |
| Industry Group | Specialty Food Retailers | 4452 |
| NAICS Industry | Fish and Seafood Retailers | 44525 |
| National Industry | Fish and Seafood Retailers | 445250 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 445110 | Supermarkets and Other Grocery Retailers (except Convenience Retailers) | Operates supermarkets retailing general food lines including seafood departments, carrying broader product assortments beyond the seafood focus of specialty fish markets |
| 445240 | Meat Retailers | Retails fresh meat products through specialty butcher shops, representing another perishable protein specialty format with similar cold chain management requirements |
| 445230 | Fruit and Vegetable Retailers | Retails fresh fruits and vegetables through specialty stores, sharing perishable inventory management and daily sourcing challenges with seafood retail operations |
| 445291 | Baked Goods Retailers | Retails baked goods through specialty stores, representing another perishable food format that clusters alongside fish markets in traditional food shopping areas |
| 445298 | All Other Specialty Food Retailers | Retails all other specialty food items through standalone stores, sharing specialty food customer demographics with fish and seafood market shoppers |
| 445131 | Convenience Retailers | Operates convenience retailers selling limited grocery lines, occasionally stocking frozen seafood items but lacking fresh fish cutting and sourcing capabilities |
SBA Lending Summary
176
Total SBA Loans
$73.7M
Total Loan Volume
$419K
Average Loan Size
10 yrs
Average Loan Term
10.23%
Average Interest Rate
1,912
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[3]
Key Insight: The SBA[4] classifies NAICS 445250 under fish and seafood retailers with a size standard of $9 million in average annual receipts. Businesses at or below this revenue threshold qualify as small for federal contracting preferences and SBA loan programs. Seafood retailers can access SBA 7(a) loans[7] for refrigeration equipment, live tank installations, and working capital for inventory purchases. Firms purchasing retail or cold storage properties may qualify for 504 loans[8]. Daily fresh product purchasing and seasonal inventory buildup create cash flow patterns that make working capital access particularly important for seafood retail operations.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Truist Bank | 24 | $20.7M | $864K |
| 2 | Hancock Whitney Bank | 8 | $14.9M | $1.9M |
| 3 | Readycap Lending, LLC | 24 | $11.4M | $475K |
| 4 | Dogwood State Bank | 8 | $9.9M | $1.2M |
| 5 | Rockland Trust Company | 16 | $4.0M | $250K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of businesses fall under NAICS 445250?
NAICS 445250 covers retailers specializing in fresh, frozen, and cured fish and seafood products. Specialty fish markets, coastal dock-side retailers, smoked fish shops, and stores with live lobster tanks are included. Source: U.S. Census Bureau[5]
How is NAICS 445250 structured?
Stores range from small urban fish counters to large coastal seafood markets with multiple display cases, live tanks, and smoking facilities. Many serve both retail walk-in customers and wholesale accounts including restaurants. Coastal markets benefit from direct dock access to fresh catches.
What is the SBA size standard for NAICS 445250?
The SBA sets the size standard at $9 million in average annual receipts for fish and seafood retailers. Businesses at or below this revenue level qualify as small for federal contracting preferences and SBA loan programs. Source: SBA Size Standards[4]
What NAICS codes are related to fish and seafood retailers?
Related retail codes include 445110 (supermarkets), 445240 (meat retailers), 445230 (produce markets), 445291 (baked goods stores), 445298 (other specialty food), and 445131 (convenience retailers). Source: Census NAICS[5]
What industries are related to seafood retailing?
Key supplier industries include 424460 (seafood wholesalers), 114111 (finfish fishing), 114112 (shellfish fishing), and 311710 (seafood processing). Customer industries include 722511 (full-service restaurants) purchasing fresh seafood for menu preparation.
What activities are included in NAICS 445250?
Activities include retailing fresh fish, shellfish, frozen seafood, smoked and cured fish, sushi-grade products, canned seafood, and prepared seafood items. Custom filleting, live tank operations, and coastal dock-side retailing are also included.
Can fish and seafood retailers get SBA loans?
Yes, small businesses under NAICS 445250 can access SBA 7(a) loans for refrigeration equipment, live tank installations, and working capital. Firms purchasing retail or cold storage properties may qualify for 504 loans. Daily fresh purchasing creates unique cash flow needs. Source: SBA Loan Programs[9]
Where are fish and seafood retailers concentrated in the United States?
Seafood retailers concentrate in coastal communities with active fishing industries, including New England, the Pacific Northwest, Gulf Coast, and Mid-Atlantic regions. Major urban areas support inland seafood markets serving diverse populations. Cities with established Chinatown, Little Italy, or waterfront districts typically sustain multiple specialty seafood retail operations.
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages bls.gov
- [2]U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Census census.gov
- [3]U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA 7(a) Loan Program Data data.sba.gov
- [4]SBA sba.gov
- [5]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [6]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [7]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [8]504 loans sba.gov
- [9]SBA Loan Programs sba.gov
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